Friday, February 22, 2008

Sinn Féin's Solidarity

SINN FÉIN MEP Bairbre de Brún has welcomed the start of International Solidarity Week with the Basque Country.

Speaking on Tuesday, 19 February Bairbre de Brún said:

“I welcome the start of International solidarity week with the Basque Country.

“Sinn Féin has argued the need to revive the Basque Peace Process. The banning of Batasuna and jailing of political representatives including democratically elected representatives is an impediment to this.

“We are now concerned that the Spanish administration has begun the process of banning two other parties, EHAK and ANV. This will further impede any search for forward progress, which requires that every effort be made to improve and encourage dialogue between all of the parties in the Basque County and the Spanish government.

“Central to this is the rights of voters to have access to parties and political representatives of their choice.

“I would once again repeat the call for genuine dialogue and engagement. This can be the only way forward if a proper process of conflict resolution is to be put in place.”